The Vanishing of Melanie James

Josh Mankiewicz sits down with showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll and Shanola Hampton, lead actor and producer of the hit NBC drama Found, to talk about bringing attention to the missing. Don’t forget to watch Josh’s all-new Dateline this Friday at 10/9c on NBC, and Found premieres Thursday, 10/3 at 10/9c on NBC and streaming on Peacock.

Terrence Woods grew up in Maryland and was working with a television production crew in a remote area of central Idaho when he was last seen on October 5, 2018.  Witnesses told sheriff’s deputies that as they were wrapping up for the day, Terrence, 26, abruptly ran down a steep embankment into the dark. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz speaks with Terrence’s father, Terrence Woods Sr., his former journalism professor Bethany Swain, his mentor Joanna Abeyie, and retired Idaho County sheriff Doug Giddings. Terrence is 5’9” and 130 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information regarding his disappearance is asked to contact the Idaho County Sheriff’s Office at 208-983-1100.  Get more information and see pictures of Terrence Woods here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing

Melanie James, 21, was last seen in the spring of 2014 in Farmington, New Mexico. Melanie’s sister, Melissa, saw her walking down the street with an unidentified man on April 20. Days later, police discovered Melanie’s purse and duffel bag in an alleyway in Farmington, but saw no sign of Melanie. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz talks to Melanie’s sister, Melissa James, her mother, Lela Mailman, as well as Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe and Detective Daven Badoni. Melanie is 5’ and weighed about 115 lbs. when she was last seen. At the time of her disappearance, she had dark black hair and a chip on one of her top front teeth. Melanie would be 32 years old today. If you have information about Melanie’s case, please call the Farmington Police Department at 505-334-6622.  Get more information and see pictures of Melanie James here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissingVisit the New Mexico Department of Justice's website for missing and murdered Indigenous people: https://mmip.nmdoj.gov/

Shy’Kemmia Pate was last seen near her home in Unadilla, Georgia, on September 4, 1998. She was 8 years old.  Several people reported seeing her that evening in the neighborhood. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz speaks with some of her loved ones, as well as Dooly County Sheriff’s Deputy Randy Lamberth, and Natalie Wilson of the Black and Missing Foundation. Shy’Kemmia would be 34 years old today. When she disappeared, she was wearing a neon green Atlanta Braves jersey with red lettering, Levi’s jeans, and had a leg brace. Anyone with information about her disappearance is asked to call the Dooly County Sheriff’s Office at 229-645-0920 or the Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 478-987-4545. Get more information and see age-progressed pictures of Shy’Kemmia Pate here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing

Tyler Goodrich left his home in Lincoln, Nebraska on November 3, 2023, and hasn’t been seen since. On the night of his disappearance, Tyler and his husband, Marshall Vogel, were arguing, and Marshall called 911. Home security video shows a figure running from their house minutes after the call. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz speaks with Marshall, as well as several of Tyler’s family members and close friends. Tyler is about 6’1” and 185 lbs. He has pale skin, red hair and freckles. At the time of his disappearance he was 35 and had a red beard. Anyone with information about Tyler’s case is asked to call  the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at 402-441-6500 or Crime Stoppers at 402-475-3600.  Get more information and see pictures of Tyler Goodrich here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing

Marcus Rutledge disappeared on June 8, 1998, in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 23 years old and had been attending Tennessee State University.  Nearly a month later, Marcus’s car, a red Plymouth Neon, was found abandoned about 20 miles from his apartment in Nashville. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz talks to his father, David Rutledge, his sister, Felicia Rutledge, his ex-girlfriend Valencia Bryant, and Metro Nashville Police Department Detective Matthew Filter. Marcus is 6’ and weighed 190 lbs. when he disappeared. Anyone with information about his case is asked to call the Metro Nashville Police Department Cold Case Unit at 615-862-7329.  Get more information and see pictures of Marcus Rutledge here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing

25-year-old Arelie Garcia was last seen leaving her Salinas, California apartment on September 22, 2022. Later that day, Arelie’s bright red Honda Accord was found abandoned in Big Sur on Highway 1. Dateline’s Josh Mankiewicz speaks with her sisters Veronica Garcia and Elizet Mendoza, and Detective Arras Wilson of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. Arelie is 5’5” and about 150 lbs. She has brown hair and brown eyes. When she was last seen, she was wearing a black hoodie, black leggings, and sneakers. Anyone with information about her case is asked to call Detective Edwin Cruz with the Salinas Police Department at 831-758-7393 or the anonymous tip line at 831-775-4222.  Get more information and see pictures of Arelie Garcia here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing

Are you the key to solving a mystery? Correspondent Josh Mankiewicz reports on perplexing missing person cases brought to Dateline’s attention by our social media followers. Each episode focuses on one person’s story, as told by those left behind. Listen carefully to the details, descriptions and clues offered by family, friends and investigators. Something you hear might jog a memory that could help authorities crack a case. Follow Dateline: Missing in America now and listen to season 3 starting Tuesday, July 16

UPDATE: In November of 2023, Dee Ann Warner’s husband was charged with her murder. Dale Warner was also charged with evidence tampering in the case. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges. In August 2024, Dee’s body was found on property owned by her husband. Her death has been ruled a homicide. Josh Mankiewicz reports. Listen to our original podcast on the case here: https://link.chtbl.com/dee_ann_warner

On June 6, 2020, 65-year-old Lydia Abrams disappeared from her ranch near Idyllwild, California. Left behind were her phone, purse, keys, wallet and truck. Dateline’s Keith Morrison sits down with Dia’s son, Clinton Abrams, her friend Julie Stanford and Keith Harper, who describes himself as Dia’s fiancé. While those closest to her have different theories about what may have happened to Dia, one thing they all agree on is that she would never have left behind her animals, including her beloved dog, Ruby. Dia Abrams is 5’6” with blue eyes and blonde hair, and weighs 135 lbs. Anyone with information about her case, is asked to call the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office at 951-791-3400.Get more information and see pictures of Dia Abrams here: https://www.nbcnews.com/datelinemissing